CSNbbs

If I were one of these Texas school's AD's (SMU, Rice or TCU, Houston) I'd look in a different direction. I'd try to wrangle some old money from DFW and Houston and frankly, bring back the SWC.

Look at this model: TCU, SMU, Rice, Houston...former members who might have access to the TM of Southwest Conference. Of course the SWC folded because it was too heavy in Texas, so add to it: Tulsa (Oklahoma vs Texas always getting interest) La Tech (can contribute in 4 sports), Memphis (again another state, and plenty of potential), Ark State (the original SWC had Arkansas, and this would restore that market and provide a rival for nearby Memphis).

That's a viable 8 teams, w/ enough local rivalry to keep interest, yet diverse enough to be widely recognized. Since 9 teams schedules better in fball (and the ACC proved it can work in bball) then consider adding another team: Ideally that would be New Mexico, who has a storied basketball program and a solid fball team under Samuels. They might be tough to pry free from the MWC, so also consider So. Miss for a good baseball team and a rival w/ LaTech.

Isn't that what Con-USA is trying to do?

Houston
Rice
SMU
TCU
Tulane
Tulsa

You are correct, the rivalries between DFW & State of Oklahoma, plus Houston (east Texas) & State of Louisiana are quite strong. :wave:

It's not just that nine "can work" for basketball. Nine is the perfect size. With nine, you can play a full round-robin in hoops and still have 11 non-conference games.

Losing the full round robin is one of the biggest complaints the basketball wing of the ACC has about expansion.

Grant Street Wrote: Isn't that what Con-USA is trying to do?

Houston
Rice
SMU
TCU
Tulane
Tulsa

You are correct, the rivalries between DFW & State of Oklahoma, plus Houston (east Texas) & State of Louisiana are quite strong. :wave:

Yes, but they'll tarnish and dilute their brand w/ the stupid name and its tradition/history, too broad of an area* and teams like ECU and UAB. No offense to the Pirates (I've always cheered for them to do well, except against the MAC) but they take the charm and marketability away from the Texas teams.

Maybe putting them in a separate division would work...but I think autonomy would be desirable for the old SWC schools.

I'm just saying that if I was an T. Boone Pickins protege or some sort, and had some connections in TX and OK, I'd give it a shot.

*I understand that Texas is big and technically that UNM is as far away as ECU, but when you say "southwest" they fit the bill, and I'd bet rivalries w/ Texas would work well.